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Redemption Bourbon vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Comparing Redemption Bourbon and Smooth Ambler Old Scout is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (84 vs. 99).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Redemption Bourbon | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 84 proof (42% ABV) | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) +15 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$17 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Redemption Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Redemption Bourbon Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/6 heat: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Redemption Bourbon 4 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/5 sweetness: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Redemption Bourbon 7 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Redemption Bourbon 5 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Redemption Bourbon 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Redemption Bourbon: Straightforward sourced MGP at a modest proof, and about as clear a reference sample of the high-rye MGP profile as you can buy. Thin neat, but a reliable and inexpensive cocktail base.
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout: Sourced MGP bourbon selected and bottled in West Virginia, and one of the more honest sourced brands about exactly what it is. The characteristic MGP dill-and-pepper signature, cleanly presented.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Redemption Bourbon if you want an inexpensive, unambiguous example of the MGP high-rye style for mixing at a lower price point.
- Go with Smooth Ambler Old Scout if you want the classic MGP high-rye profile from a bottler that has always been upfront about sourcing with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Redemption Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).